[Vinyl-Addict]

New update, seller does not have packaging. What to do? Seller is within an hour of KAB, seeing if there's a way to get it there, then have KAB box it and send it after a check up and a couple mods.

That's a good idea if you can talk to Kevin first and see if he'll take care of it for you. Good luck! 

[TheChairGuy]

I'd skip the 1200. 2nd hand, no box, no guarantee, sight unseen, some guy somewhere else. It doesn't add-up to a probability of good outcome. It's best to buy tables in person or at least from a reputable source with the experience to get it there in one piece. I learned my lesson the hard way myself.
-Bill

Don't mean to disagree, but I'm gonna' (sorry Bill )

If there is ONE table you should consider sight unseen and shipped to you - it might ONLY be the SL-1200.

Mine was bought on ebay...shipped from FL to CA in a flimsy box with nearly no wrapping material around it....and it plays fine.  The tonearm was smashed silly, but new ones can be bought...or in my case a Rega and JELCO mounts were bought and I've tried 3 different tonearms on the same table.  Also, have added KAB outboard speed control and strobe disabler.

There is no table to consider more likely to consider survival to your doorstep that I can think of outside of a Technics SL-1200  Even if you don't love the sound (I find it a little better than mediocre, but am willing to add a new audiophool bearing I am hearing good things about for it)...you have to give serious kudos to it's build quality.

Here's mine upon arrival (what you see is exactly how it arrived...with closed box lid(s) of course ):



John

[Uptown Audio]

...Mine was bought on ebay...shipped from FL to CA in a flimsy box with nearly no wrapping material around it....and it plays fine.  The tonearm was smashed silly, but new ones can be bought...

Here's mine upon arrival (what you see is exactly how it arrived...with closed box lid(s) of course ):



John

That's exactly what most folks would want to avoid. A hammered table/arm and the need to buy other arms to get better performance. My experience was similar to yours however I did not continue to "invest" in the beater. After groaning at the sight of its hideous condition, I literally just reclosed the box and carried the whole thing, never taken out of its coffin, right to the Dempsey Dumpster and proceeded to toss it right back where it belonged. I have not since bought any turntable from individuals on eBay. I did take a table in on trade from a guy who had the original packaging (this was a high end table) and it received some significant damage as well. I have learned my lesson well.
-Bill

[low.pfile]

Just a quick FYI: The SL1200 platter was packaged separately, surrounded by cardboard and located above the wrapped plinth when I received my TT new.
And Box in a Box with airspace/pellets is how I always ship electroniX I resell.

[bacobits1]

I would specifically, adamantly state you will not accept damaged goods.
Make sure they agree and understand that.

E Bay is a different story, I don't think I would buy a table from an E Bay-er.
Most are not audiophile caliper selling stuff.
But then again, I have seen some real  stupid people.

D

[AudioSoul]

   If you are looking for votes, I vote for the SL-1200 or variants. I would get all the mods you can afford. It will be all set up and no tweeking needed. Just enjoy the music and not get caught up in this audiophile dilema. I wish I had my SL-1210 back.
Bad mistake selling it........

[gprro]

Seller made a really nice offer to take it to KAB, and let him make sure it's a good table too. I'm completely willing to throw some extra money in for gas and time. Saving on original shipping and back to KAB anyway. Hopefully Kevin is OK with that. Get some mods, then ship to me. Cart and pre amp planning now... There's a made for the 1200 ortofon KAB pro s40 on the gon for a good deal. Only review I read says it's not that great for rock though. Soundsmith, Karat 17...hmmm. I have no clue how to setup a table

Bill, that Tele in nice! At quick glance I thought it was the other one. I have a couple violins I'm getting cleaned and looked at soon, may try to sell one...Get me David Gilmour's black Strat too!...I wish

[Miney]

Maybe ask Kevin what he thinks of the pro s40?

I have an Ortofon 2M Blue on my KAB SL-1210M5GSE - rocks me just fine as a starter for < $200...



Altho I admit being inches away from using the Elusive Disc 10% off coupon code last weekend to snag a SoundSmith SMME2.

[gprro]

I'm a 1200 owner! Kevin has the table, inspected and perfect. Says it needs a mat and a headshell and it's ready to go. I'm assuming any mat will do, reading good things about the herbie's. Headshell options? What mods should I do. I'm thinking tonearm damper, rewire, and strobe. Have to ask about bearing upgrades too.

I've been reading the mods available on vinyl engine. Didn't know there were so many, and from different companies.

[Jeff K]

Those are the same mods I got from KAB on my 1200. John Elison, at AA, took some measurements and determined that the strobe was the biggest problem with the stock power supply.

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=860967&highlight=strobe+disabler+ripple

and

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=860823&highlight=strobe+disabler+ripple

My MMF-7 is in storage.

[Airborn]

I'm a 1200 owner! Kevin has the table, inspected and perfect. Says it needs a mat and a headshell and it's ready to go. I'm assuming any mat will do, reading good things about the herbie's. Headshell options? What mods should I do. I'm thinking tonearm damper, rewire, and strobe. Have to ask about bearing upgrades too.

I've been reading the mods available on vinyl engine. Didn't know there were so many, and from different companies.

Congratulations!   I too thought any mat would do, but then I got a Herbie's Way Excellent mat and it made a big difference compared to the stock rubber mat. As for the KAB mods, I would definitely go with the KAB fluid damper as a must and anything else Kevin recommends, if you still want more.  But start with the tonearm damper.
As for headshells, I think Kevin can set you up with a stock Technics.  Some people swear by better headshells, but I think if anything they are mostly a last tweak, not a starting one. Check LP Gear if you disagree; they carry something called the Zupreme headshell (i.e., Sumiko) that is supposed to go well with the Technics.
Phono stage - I use a Cambridge Audio 640P and am happy with it.  I've auditioned the Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 and it's also good with a 1200.  Vista Audio is getting great reviews and there is one on sale now on AC for $250.
Cartridge - I am using an AT 440MLa and love it: others think its too bright.  I am thinking of upgrading to the AT 150mlx or a Denon dl-110 or 160.  Miney's post also has me thinking of the Ortofon 2M Blue
Welcome to the Technics cult

[Bear Heath]

Agree the Herbie's mat is the way to go, much more detail than the standard rubber mat. I also used the Gram Amp Special 2 and it was good however moved to the PS Audio GSPH which is an improvement, however about $250 more expensive.  Just put the Souther Clever Clamp on my SL1200 and am  very pleased in the improvement.  Again more detail,for $35 a great addition.

[dmckean]

I'm a 1200 owner! Kevin has the table, inspected and perfect. Says it needs a mat and a headshell and it's ready to go. I'm assuming any mat will do, reading good things about the herbie's. Headshell options? What mods should I do. I'm thinking tonearm damper, rewire, and strobe. Have to ask about bearing upgrades too.

I've been reading the mods available on vinyl engine. Didn't know there were so many, and from different companies.

I would get those upgrades plus have it wired for the external power supply in case you want it later. The Cambridge audio 640P mentioned above is good and I've also heard the A.N.T. Audio phono stage recently and was quite impressed.

[gprro]

I have to learn to not try and research so much at one time! Brain hurts. I think I'm going to pick up the Vista. Same guy I'm buying the table from.

Airborn or others, whats the spec needed for the herbies mat? I figure I'm almost going big, may as well get a good mat.

For the cart I'm really thinking about a soundsmith. Maybe the 1 or 2, possibly one of the hand selected models. At what point do you guys think the cart (example: SMMC1 or Aida) is going to be limited by the table and arm, making it a little bit of a waste? Looks like the SMMC2 is the sweat spot.

Thanks!

[LM]

For the Herbies, critical thing is the mat width for a Technics.  Get the 285 mm size to suit the platter.  I use a 3.7 mm thick one on mine which I already had and transferred from another TT but because of the adjustable VTA, I can't see the thickness being so critical.  Details are on the website.

[gprro]

Cool, thanks for the info on the Herbie's. Getting ready to go ahead with the mods plan. In talking with Kevin through email about bearings, he mentioned using a firm wax to support the thrust plate, effectively strengthening and thickening it. Any one else tried it? The other bearings online look nice, but at $600 they'll  have to wait. Maybe down the line, while doing an arm swap also.

[gprro]

Little bump

The soundsmith carts are available in a medium or high compliance. Which is the suitable one? Are these carts even suitable for the Technics arm?

Also anyone think the smmc1 is going to be limited by the table? Would I be as good off using a cheaper cart? Link for specs... I did notice the channel difference as <1.2 db. Is that high? That and channel separation are the noticeable changes as they move up the line.

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/smmc1.html

[doug s.]

when you are ready to upgrade, think less money, not more.     keep your eyes peeled for something like this; then mount a used o-l rb250 on it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200417105851

here's another one, still f/a; has an unknown (to me) aftermarket arm on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190357165002


doug s.